System and method for streaming sequential data through an automotive switch fabric

ABSTRACT

A system and method for streaming sequential data through a vehicle switch fabric network. This is particular useful in areas such as reprogramming nodes in the automotive switch fabric network where relatively large records or messages need to be transmitted through the switch fabric, although the invention may be used in other areas. In sum, the system and method described herein takes large data records and breaks them down into smaller units (data packets) that fit within the constraints of the physical layer on which communication links in the switch fabric network is built. The smaller data packets are assigned with a message identification and a sequence number. Data packets associated with the same data record or message are assigned with the same message identification but may differ in their sequence number. Each data packet is transmitted over the vehicle switch fabric network to a destination node. At the destination node, the data packets may be reassembled to its original data format based on the message identification and sequence numbers. The reassembled message may then be presented to an application in the node for processing.

The present application claims priority from provisional application, Ser. No. 60/619,669, entitled “System and Method for Streaming Sequential Data Through an Automotive Switch Fabric Network,” filed Oct. 18, 2004, which is commonly owned and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention in general relates to in-vehicle communication networks and particularly to a system and method for streaming sequential data through an automotive switch fabric network.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The commonly assigned United States patent application entitled “Vehicle Active Network,” Ser. No. 09/945,581, filed Aug. 31, 2001, Publication No. US 20030043793, the disclosure of which is hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference, introduces the concept of an active network that includes a switch fabric. The switch fabric is a web of interconnected switching devices or nodes. The switching device or nodes are joined by communication links for the transmission of data packets between the switching devices or nodes. Control devices, sensors, actuators and the like are coupled to the switch fabric, and the switch fabric facilitates communication between these coupled devices.

The coupled devices may be indicator lights, vehicle control systems, vehicle safety systems, and comfort and convenience systems. A command to actuate a device or devices may be generated by a control element coupled to the switch fabric and is communicated to the device or devices via the switch fabric nodes.

In the context of vehicular switch fabric networks, a challenge is presented in terms of how relatively large data records and messages are transported across the switch fabric network. In particular, when sending large data records and messages across the switch fabric network, the size of the data packets may be constrained by the physical layer on which the communication links that join the switching devices or nodes are built. A need exists for the ability to transmit large records and messages across the switch fabric when size restrictions for the communication links exist.

It is, therefore, desirable to provide a system and method to overcome or minimize most, if not all, of the preceding problems especially in the area of transmitting large data records and messages across the nodes in an automotive switch fabric network. This would help in several areas including the reprogramming of switch fabric nodes where large records need to be downloaded.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a vehicle switch fabric network;

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a portion of the switch fabric network connected to a plurality of interfaces and devices;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a portion of the switch fabric network connected to a diagnostic device and interface for the downloading of large records and files;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating one embodiment of the components of a target node in the switch fabric network;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating two memory portions of the target node in the switch fabric network for receiving large records and files;

FIG. 6 is a message flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of the types of message that may be exchanged during the reprogramming of the target node;

FIG. 7 illustrates various data packets that may be adapted for use in a vehicle switch fabric network;

FIG. 8 illustrates a relatively large record or message that needs to be transmitted through the vehicle switch fabric network;

FIG. 9 illustrates a data packet having a small payload portion relative to the record or message of FIG. 8; and

FIG. 10 illustrates a set of payload portions of data packets that carry information contained in the record or message of FIG. 8.

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail herein. However, it should be understood that the invention is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

What is described is a system and method for streaming sequential data through a vehicle switch fabric network. This is particular useful in areas such as reprogramming nodes in the automotive switch fabric network where relatively large records or messages need to be transmitted through the switch fabric, although the invention may be used in other areas. In sum, the system and method described herein takes large data records and breaks them down into smaller units (data packets) that fit within the constraints of the physical layer on which communication links in the switch fabric network is built. The smaller data packets are assigned with a message identification and a sequence number. Data packets associated with the same data record or message are assigned with the same message identification but may differ in their sequence number. Each data packet is transmitted over the vehicle switch fabric network to a destination node. At the destination node, the data packets may be reassembled to its original data format based on the message identification and sequence numbers. The reassembled message may then be presented to an application in the node for processing.

Now, turning to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a vehicle 20 including a network 22 to which various vehicle devices 24 a-d are coupled via respective interfaces 26 a-d. The vehicle devices 24 a-d may be sensors, actuators, and processors used in connection with various vehicle functional systems and sub-systems, such as, but not limited to, diagnostic, control-by-wire applications for throttle, braking and steering control, adaptive suspension, power accessory control, communications, entertainment, and the like. The devices 24 a-d may be external or internal to the vehicle. The embodiment in FIG. 1 includes an external device 24 a and several internal devices 24 b-d.

The interfaces 26 a-d are any suitable interface for coupling the particular vehicle device 24 a-d to the network 22, and may be wire, optical, wireless or combinations thereof. The vehicle device 24 a-d is particularly adapted to provide one or more functions associated with the vehicle 20. These vehicle devices 24 a-d may be data producing, such as a sensor, data consuming, such as an actuator, or processing, which both produces and consumes data. In one embodiment, the external device 24 a is a diagnostic device that permits a user to exchange data with the network of the vehicle, as will be explained further below. Data produced by or provided to a vehicle device 24 a-d, and carried by the network 22, is independent of the function of the vehicle device 24 a-d itself. That is, the interfaces 26 a-d provides independent data exchange between the coupled device 24 a-d and the network 22.

The connection between the devices 24 a-d and the interfaces 26 a-d may be a wired or wireless connection. FIG. 1 illustrates both types of connections between the diagnostic device 24 a and its interface 26 a, a wired connection 25 and a wireless connection 27. In the wireless connection, the device 24 a and the interface 26 a include wireless communication transceivers permitting the units to communicate with each other via an optical or radio frequency transmission. Additionally, the interface 26 a may be a single device or incorporated as a single assembly as part of a gateway node 30 a. Irregardless of the type of connection or type of assembly, the interface 26 a to the diagnostic device 24 a should arbitrate the linking of the device 24 a to the network 22 through an authentication, security and encryption process.

The network 22 may include a switch fabric 28 defining a plurality of communication paths between the vehicle devices 24 a-d. The communication paths permit multiple simultaneous peer-to-peer, one-to-many, many-to-many, etc. communications between the vehicle devices 24 a-d. During operation of the vehicle 20, data exchanged, for example, between devices 24 a and 24 d may utilize any available path or paths between the vehicle devices 24 a, 24 d. In operation, a single path through the switch fabric 28 may carry all of a single data communication between one vehicle device 24 a and another vehicle device 24 d, or several communication paths may carry portions of the data communication. Subsequent communications may use the same path or other paths as dictated by the then state of the network 22. This provides reliability and speed advantages over bus architectures that provide single communication paths between devices, and hence are subject to failure with failure of the single path. Moreover, communications between other of the devices 24 b, 24 c may occur simultaneously using the communication paths within the switch fabric 28.

The network 22 may comply with transmission control protocol/Internet (TCP/IP), asynchronous transfer mode (ATM), Infiniband, RapidIO, or other packet data protocols. As such, the network 22 utilizes data packets, having fixed or variable length, defined by the applicable protocol. For example, if the network 22 uses asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) communication protocol, ATM standard data cells are used.

The internal vehicle devices 24 b-d need not be discrete devices. Instead, the devices may be systems or subsystems of the vehicle and may include one or more legacy communication media, i.e., legacy bus architectures such as the Controller Area Network (CAN) Protocol, the SAE J1850 Communication Standard, the Local Interconnect Network (LIN) Protocol, the FLEXRAY Communications System Standard, the Media Oriented Systems Transport or MOST Protocol, or similar bus structures. In such embodiments, the respective interface 26 b-d may be configured as a proxy or gateway to permit communication between the network 22 and the legacy device.

Referring to FIG. 2, an active network 22 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention includes a switch fabric 28 of nodes 30 a-h that communicatively couples a plurality of devices 24 a-d via respective interfaces 26 a-d. Connection links or media 32 interconnects the nodes 30 a-h. The connection media 32 may be bounded media, such as wire or optical fiber, unbounded media, such as free optical or radio frequency, or combinations thereof. In addition, the term node is used broadly in connection with the definition of the switch fabric 28 to include any number of intelligent structures for communicating data packets within the network 22 without an arbiter or other network controller and may include: switches, intelligent switches, routers, bridges, gateways and the like. For instance, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the node 30 a may be a gateway node that connects the diagnostic interface 26 a (and the diagnostic device 24 a) to the switch fabric 28. Data is carried through the network 22 in data packet form guided by the nodes 30 a-h.

The cooperation of the nodes 30 a-h and the connection media 32 define a plurality of communication paths between the devices 24 a-d that are communicatively coupled to the network 22. For example, a route 34 defines a communication path from the gateway node 30 a to a target node 30 g. If there is a disruption along the route 34 inhibiting communication of the data packets from the gateway node 30 a to the target node 30 g, for example, if one or more nodes are at capacity or have become disabled or there is a disruption in the connection media joining the nodes along route 34, a new route, illustrated as route 36, can be used. The route 36 may be dynamically generated or previously defined as a possible communication path, to ensure the communication between the gateway node 30 a and the target node 30 g.

Some applications may require reprogramming of one or more nodes 30 a-h in the switch fabric 28. The embodiment and topology shown in FIG. 3 advantageously permits the ability to upgrade or replace software and code in the switch fabric 28, including reprogramming software and code residing in the nodes 30 a-h. FIG. 3 shows a user 42 that can interact with a diagnostic device 24 a. The diagnostic device 24 a contains a software manager 40 that includes instructions for initiating and controlling a reprogramming process of upgrading or replacing software and code in the switch fabric 28. The diagnostic device 24 a is connected via a wired link 25 or a wireless link 27 to diagnostic interface 26 a. The diagnostic interface 26 a couples the diagnostic device 24 a to the vehicle network 22 (and the switch fabric 28) through one of the nodes 30 a-h, for example a gateway node 30 a. In one embodiment, the diagnostic interface 26 is separate from the nodes 30 a-h in the switch fabric network 28. However, in other embodiment, the diagnostic interface 26 a and its functions may be incorporated into the gateway node 30 a.

Each of the nodes 30 a-h in the switch fabric 28 contain software components to enable data communications between the nodes 30 a-h and devices 24 a-d. A user 42 may use the diagnostic device 24 a and the system manager 40 to send commands to upgrade or replace software and code in the switch fabric 28, including reprogramming software and code residing in the nodes 30 a-h. For purposes of illustrating the present invention, assume that a user 42 desires to reprogram software components residing in a target node 30 g. FIG. 4 shows one embodiment of a target node 30 g that may be in need of new software components.

To illustrate the functionality and the adaptability of the target node 30 g, it is shown to include a plurality of input/output ports 50 a-d although separate input and output ports could also be used. Various configurations of the target node 30 g having more or fewer ports may be used in the network 22 depending on the application. The target node 30 g includes a processor 52, at least one transceiver 54, and a memory 56. The memory 56 includes an erasable memory portion 62 and a protected memory portion 64. The processor 52 is configured to transfer control and execute instructions from software components residing in either the erasable memory portion 62 or the protected memory portion 64. The erasable memory portion 62 contains a set of software components (code block) to operate the target node 30 g for normal data communications and operation within the switch fabric 28. In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the software components in the erasable memory portion 62 may include the complete software for an application layer 72, a network layer 74, and a link (or bus) layer 76. The erasable memory portion 62 may also include an embedded Distributed System Management (DSM) component 76 that can satisfy or act upon requests from the system manager 40. The DSM component 76 may be configured to work at one or more of the layers 72, 74, 78.

The protected memory portion 64 contains a set of software components (boot block) that includes functions to load software components safely and securely to the erasable memory portion 62. In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the software components residing on the protected memory portion 64 include a flash memory loader module 80, a system manager agent 82 (that can communicate with the system manager 40), and standard components for a network layer 84, a Distributed System Management (DSM) component 86, and a link (or bus) layer 88. The protected memory portion 64 cannot be erased by the user 42, the diagnostic device 24 a, or the system manager 40. The protected memory portion 64 is also not accessible from the software components residing on the erasable memory portion 62.

Upon startup of the target node 30 g, control should go directly to the software components residing on the protected memory portion 64, including the flash memory loader module 80 mentioned above. If the flash memory loader module 80 fails to initialize hardware in the target node 30 g, the target node 30 g may be configured to go to a low power standby. In one embodiment, the flash memory loader 80, upon node startup, will determine if valid software components reside (and is available) in the erasable memory portion 62. This will ensure that corrupted or partial software components in the erasable memory portion 62 does not deadlock the target node 30 g. This determination may be done by checking a key number stored in a prescribed location in the erasable memory portion 62. If the key number is stored in the prescribed location, the processor 50 may be configured to switch control of the target node 30 g from executing the software components residing on its protected memory portion 64 to the software components residing on its erasable memory portion 62.

If, however, the key number is not stored in the prescribed location, the flash memory loader 80 may assume that the software components in the erasable memory portion 62 is not valid and send a notification that the target node 30 g needs to be reprogrammed. This notification may be sent to the gateway node 30 a that will then forward the request to the system manager 40 residing on the diagnostic device 24 a. The flash memory loader 80 should then remain in an idle state to await instructions from the system manager 40 to initiate reprogramming of the software components in the erasable memory portion 62, as will be explained in more detail below.

Additionally, the diagnostic system may be configured to allow the system manager 40 to query each node 30 a-h in the switch fabric 28 to determine whether a node needs to be reprogrammed. In one embodiment, the system manager 40 may initiate a status dialogue with a target node 30 g by sending a status request message to the gateway node 30 a. The gateway node 30 a will then route the status request message to the target node 30 g. The target node 30 g may then be configured to respond to the status request message by transmitting a status response message to the gateway node 30 a, who may then forward the message back to the system manager 40. Depending on the content of the status response message, a user 42 may decide to reprogram a specific target node 30 g.

FIG. 6 is a message flow diagram that illustrates one embodiment of a sequence of steps that a user 42 may take in reprogramming a target node 30 g. The message flow diagram shows messages that may be exchanged between the user 42, the system manager 40 (residing on the diagnostic device 24 a), the gateway node 30 a, and the target node 30 g. The user 42 may initiate the reprogramming operation using the system manager 42 by selecting the node identification of the target node 30 g to be reprogrammed (arrow 102). The user 42 may then load a record file in the system manager 40 from a host's file system (arrow 104).

The system manager 40, residing on the diagnostic device 24 a, will then initiate a download session with the target node 30 g. In one embodiment, the system manager 40 may send an initiate download session message through the diagnostic interface 26 a to the gateway node 30 a (arrow 106). The gateway node 30 a will then route the initiate download session message to the target node 30 g (arrow 108).

In response to receiving an initiate download session message, the target node 30 g, including processor 50, may be configured to switch from executing the software components residing on its erasable memory portion 62 to the software components residing on its protected memory portion 64. As mentioned above, it is preferred that software components in both the erasable memory portion 62 and the protected memory portion 64 include at least standard software components for the network layer 74, the Distributed System Management (DSM) component 76, and the link (or bus) layer 78. This will cause normal network functions to continue uninterrupted. However, any applications running on the target node 30 g will not be available. After switching control from the software components residing on its erasable memory portion 62 to the software components residing on its protected memory portion 64, the target node 30 g may then send an acknowledge download session message to the gateway node 30 a (arrow 110), who will then forward the message to the system manager 40 (arrow 112).

After receiving the acknowledgement from the target node 30 g, the system manager 40 will then send an erase flash command to the gateway node 30 a for each block of memory that needs to be erased (arrow 114). The diagnostic device 24 a may be configured to analyze the current software components and send one or more commands to erase some or all of the memory blocks in erasable memory portion 62. The gateway node 30 a will route the erase flash command to the target node 30 g (arrow 116). Upon receipt of the erase flash command, the target node 30 g will erase the corresponding memory locations in the command. The target node 30 g may then send an acknowledge erase flash command to the gateway node 30 a (arrow 118), who will then forward the message to the system manager 40 (arrow 120).

The system manager 40 may then send a new set of compiled software components or records to the gateway node 30 a (arrow 122). The software components or records are included in the build file loaded into the system manager 40 (arrow 104). The downloadable build file for reprogramming the target node 30 g may contain thousands of records. Each record may be relatively large in size compared to the physical constraints of the data packets that can be transmitted over the communication links 32. In that case, the records should be broken down as described further below in relation to FIGS. 7-10. In any event, the gateway node 30 a will route the new set of compiled software components or records to the target node 30 g (arrow 124). The target node 30 g may then send an acknowledgement to the gateway node 30 a (arrow 126) when each component or record is received. The gateway node 30 a will then forward the message to the system manager 40 (arrow 128). The system manager 40 may repeat the process of downloading software components or records until all necessary components or records are received by the target node 30 g.

The system manager 40 may then send a check data message to the gateway node 30 a (arrow 130). In one embodiment, the check data message includes a checksum for the new downloaded software components. The gateway node 30 a will route the check data message to the target node 30 g (arrow 132). The target node 30 g will then calculate the checksum for the new set of software components into its erasable memory portion 62 and compare it against checksum received from the system manager 40. Assuming that the checksum matches, the target node 30 g will then write the new set of software components into its erasable memory portion 62. The target node 30 g may then send an acknowledge check data message to the gateway node 30 a (arrow 134), who will then forward the message to the system manager 40 (arrow 136).

The system manager 40 may then send an entry point message to the gateway node 30 a (arrow 138). In one embodiment, the entry point message includes an entry point for the code block. The gateway node 30 a will route the entry point message to the target node 30 g (arrow 140). In response, the target node 30 g sends an acknowledge entry point message to the gateway node 30 a (arrow 142), who will then forward the message to the system manager 40 (arrow 144).

Upon receiving the acknowledgement for the entry point message, the system manager 40 may then inform the user 42 about the successful completion of the download operation and provide the user 42 with an option to restore or reset the target node 30 g (arrow 146). The user 42 may wish to postpone the restoration of the node until diagnosis of other nodes is complete. However, when the user 42 desires to restore the node, the user 42 may select a restore option to the system manager 40 (arrow 148). At this point, the system manager 40 may then send a restore operation message to the gateway node 30 a (arrow 150). The gateway node 30 a will then route the restore operation message to the target node 30 g (arrow 152).

After receiving the restore operation message, the target node 30 g, including processor 50, will then switch from executing the software components residing on its protected memory portion 64 to the software components residing on its erasable memory portion 62. This will allow normal operation of applications to run again on the target node 30 g. The target node 30 g may then send an acknowledge restore operation message to the gateway node 30 a (arrow 154), who will then forward the message to the system manager 40 (arrow 156). The system manager 40 may then alert the user 42 that the acknowledgement was received from the target node 30 g (arrow 158).

FIG. 7 illustrates several data packet configurations that may be used in connection with switch fabric networks according to the embodiments of the present invention. As described, the network 22 may be configured to operate in accordance with TCP/IP, ATM, RapidIO, Infiniband and other suitable communication protocols. These data packets include structure to conform to the standard required. In one embodiment, a data packet for this invention may include a data packet 200 having a header portion 202, a payload portion 204, and a trailer portion 206. As described herein, the network 22 and the nodes 30 a-h forming the switch fabric 28 may contain processing capability. In that regard, a data packet 210 includes along with a header portion 212, payload portion 214, and trailer portion 216 an active portion 218. The active portion 218 may cause the network element to take some specific action, for example providing alternative routing of the data packet, reconfiguration of the data packet, reconfiguration of the node, or other action, based upon the content of the active portion 218. The data packet 220 includes an active portion 228 integrated with the header portion 222 along with a payload portion 224 and a trailer portion 226. The data packet 230 includes a header portion 232, a payload portion 234 and a trailer portion 236. An active portion 238 is also provided, disposed between the payload portion 234 and the trailer portion 236. Alternatively, as shown by the data packet 240, an active portion 248 may be integrated with the trailer portion 246 along with a payload portion 244 and a header portion 242. The data packet 250 illustrates a first active portion 258 and a second active portion 260, wherein the first active portion 258 is integrated a header portion 252 and the second active portion 258 is integrated with the trailer portion 256. The data packet 250 also includes a payload portion 254. Other arrangements of the data packets for use with the present invention may be envisioned.

The active portion of the data packet may represent a packet state. For example, the active portion may reflect a priority of the data packet based on aging time. That is, a packet initially generated may have a normal state, but for various reasons, is not promptly delivered. As the packet ages as it is routed through the active network, the active portion can monitor time since the data packet was generated or time when the packet is required, and change the priority of the data packet accordingly. The packet state may also represent an error state, either of the data packet or of one or more nodes of the network 22. The active portion may also be used to messenger data unrelated to the payload within the network 22, track the communication path taken by the data packet through the network 22, provide configuration information (route, timing, etc.) to nodes 30 a-h of the network 22, provide functional data to one or more devices 24 a-d coupled to the network 22 or provide receipt acknowledgement.

The payload portion of the data packets carries data and other information relating to the message being transmitted through the network 22. The size of the data packet (including the payload portion) will be constrained by the physical layer on which the switch fabric 28 is built. There are situations where the message size at the application layer will be larger than the packet size allowed to be transmitted over the network 22. One situation, as described above, is where software components or records need to be downloaded to a node 30 a-h. Accordingly, in one embodiment of the present invention, a message in the application layer that is larger than the packet size of the network 22 will be broken into smaller units to fit the packet size limitation. Each unit is placed into an individual data packet and transmitted independently over the switch fabric 28 to a destination node (such as the target node 30 g receiving downloaded software components or records described above). At the destination node, the individual data packets are reassembled to its original form and passed to the application that receives and processes the message.

FIGS. 8 and 9 further illustrate one embodiment of dividing a large message down into individual units or data packets for transmission through the switch fabric 28. FIG. 8 illustrates a message 300 containing the a variety of fields including a message type field 302, a message length field 304, an address field 306, a message data field 308, and a checksum field 310. FIG. 9 illustrates a data packet 200 having a specific header portion 202, a payload portion 204, and a trailer portion 206.

Assume for purposes of illustration that the payload portion 204 of network data packets 200 is limited to 8 bytes. Also assume for purposes of illustration that the message 300 that needs to be transmitted through the switch fabric 28 is larger than the network limitation. For instance, the downloadable build file for reprogramming node software components may contain thousands of build records. In one embodiment, where the size of each build record is up to 38 bytes, one build file may include: the message type field 302 (1 byte); the message length field 304 (1 byte); the address field 306 (3 bytes); the message data field 306 (32 bytes); and the checksum field 310 (1 byte). In one embodiment of the present invention, the message 300 is divided into smaller data packets 200 where each data packet is assigned the same message identification but different sequence numbers. This is shown further in FIG. 10.

In FIG. 10, the message 300 may be divided into a plurality of data packets 200 (seven data packets in this example), each having different payload portions 204 a-204 g. The data packets may include an active portion (such as those shown in FIG. 7 as data packets 210, 220, 230, 240, 250) or no active portion (such as that shown in FIG. 7 as data packet 200). In either event, in one embodiment, where the payload portion 204 is constrained to 8 bytes, the payload portion 204 a-204 g may include eight fields that are each one byte long: a message identification field 322, a command or record identification (RID)/sequence field 324, and six data fields 326 a-f. Each payload portion 204 a-204 g is carried over the switch fabric 28 by one switch fabric data packet 200.

The message identification field 322 for each of the payload portions 204 a-g will contain a unique message identification assigned to the particular record or message 300 being transmitted. The message identification within the field 322 will be the same for all payload portions 204 a-g that are common to the same record or message 300. In the reprogramming example described above, the message identification is used by the flash loader module 80 to track the received data packets so that it can associate different payload portions 204 a-g with the same record or message 300.

The command or sequence field 324 contains either a command or a sequence number associated with the payload portion 204 a-g. The command will indicate to the receiving node how to use the data carried by the following payload portions 204 a-g. The command value should be different from the record identification (RID)/sequence value by design. Each payload portion 204 a-g may have a record identification (RID)/sequence value except for the first payload portion 204 a, which contains a command. In the reprogramming example described above, the record identification (RID)/sequence values may be used by the flash loader module 80 to group the received data packets so that it can re-assemble the record or message in the right order at the receiving node.

In one embodiment, the first payload portion 204 a may include the values for the address field 306 (divided into 1 byte segments), the message length field 304 (1 byte), and the message type field (1 byte) of the original record or message 300. The first payload portion 204 a may also include a record identification (RID) (1 byte). The remaining payload portions 204 b-g may include the values found in the message data field 306 (divided into 32 byte segments) and the checksum field 310 of the original record or message 300. The value in the checksum 310 field may be used to protect against possible data corruption. After the original build record is reassembled at the receiving node, the build record's checksum is calculated. If the checksum does not match the received value, the whole record should be discarded and a negative response is sent.

What has been described is a system and method for streaming sequential data through a vehicle switch fabric network. This is particular useful in areas such as reprogramming nodes in the automotive switch fabric network where relatively large records or messages need to be transmitted through the switch fabric, although the invention may be used in other areas. In sum, the system and method described herein takes large data records and breaks them down into smaller units (data packets) that fit within the constraints of the physical layer on which communication links in the switch fabric network is built. The smaller data packets are assigned with a message identification and a sequence number. Data packets associated with the same data record or message are assigned with the same message identification but may differ in their sequence number. Each data packet is transmitted over the vehicle switch fabric network to a destination node. At the destination node, the data packets may be reassembled to its original data format based on the message identification and sequence numbers. The reassembled message may then be presented to an application in the node for processing. The above description of the present invention is intended to be exemplary only and is not intended to limit the scope of any patent issuing from this application. The present invention is intended to be limited only by the scope and spirit of the following claims. 

1. A method for sending a record from an external diagnostic device through a switch fabric of a vehicle communication network, the switch fabric including a plurality of nodes joined by communication links for transmission of data packets therebetween, wherein the external diagnostic device is connected to the switch fabric of the vehicle communication network, and wherein the record comprises message data, the method comprising the steps of: generating from the record, at the external diagnostic device, a first data packet comprising a first message identification, a first sequence number, and a plurality of first data elements, the plurality of first data elements containing at least a first portion of the message data in the record, wherein the message data in the record is larger than a packet size limitation of the switch fabric of the vehicle communication network, and wherein the first data packet containing the first portion of the message data in the record is within the packet size limitation of the switch fabric of the vehicle communication network; generating from the record, at the external diagnostic device, a second data packet comprising a second message identification, a second sequence number, and a plurality of second data elements, the plurality of second data elements containing at least a second portion of the message data in the record, wherein the second data packet containing the second portion of message data in the record is within the packet size limitation of the switch fabric of the vehicle communication network; transmitting the first data packet and the second data packet from the external diagnostic device to a target node in the switch fabric of the vehicle communication network; and receiving the first data packet and the second data packet at the target node and assembling at least the first portion of the message data and the second portion of the message data based on the first and second message identifications and the first and second sequence numbers.
 2. The method in claim 1, wherein the message data includes software components for reprogramming a portion of memory in the target node.
 3. The method in claim 1, wherein the first data packet comprises a header portion, a payload portion, and a trailer portion, the payload portion containing the first message identification, the first sequence number, and the plurality of first data elements.
 4. The method in claim 1 further comprising the step of: generating from the record, at the external diagnostic device, a third data packet comprising a third message identification, a third sequence number, and a plurality of third data elements, the plurality of third data elements containing at least a third portion of the message data in the record and a checksum for the message data, wherein the third data packet containing the third portion of message data in the record is within the packet size limitation of the switch fabric of the vehicle communication network, and wherein the step of assembling includes assembling the first, second, and third portions of the message data based on the first, second, and third message identifications and on the first, second, and third sequence numbers.
 5. The method in claim 1, wherein the target node comprises a memory having an erasable memory portion and a protected memory portion, the method further comprising the steps of: erasing data in the erasable memory portion; and storing at least the assembled first portion of the message data and the second portion of message data in the erasable memory portion.
 6. A method for sending a record from an external diagnostic device through a switch fabric of a vehicle communication network, the switch fabric including a plurality of nodes joined by communication links for transmission of data packets therebetween, wherein the external diagnostic device is connected to the switch fabric of the vehicle communication network, and wherein the record comprises message data, the method comprising the steps of: generating from the record, at the external diagnostic device, a first data packet comprising a message identification associated with the record, a command, and a message length; generating from the record, at the external diagnostic device, a second data packet comprising the message identification associated with the record, a first sequence number, and a plurality of first data elements, the plurality of first data elements containing at least a first portion of the message data in the record, wherein the message data in the record is larger than a packet size limitation of the switch fabric of the vehicle communication network, and wherein the second data packet containing the first portion of message data in the record is within the packet size limitation of the switch fabric of the vehicle communication network; generating from the record, at the external diagnostic device, a third data packet comprising the message identification associated with the record, a second sequence number, and a plurality of second data elements, the plurality of second data elements containing at least a second portion of the message data in the record, wherein the third data packet containing the second portion of message data in the record is within the packet size limitation of the switch fabric of the vehicle communication network; transmitting the first, second, and third data packets from the external diagnostic device to a target node in the switch fabric of the vehicle communication network; and receiving the first, second, and third data packets at the target node and assembling at least the first portion of the message data and the second portion of the message data based on the message identification associated with the record and the first and second sequence numbers.
 7. The method in claim 6, wherein the message data includes software components for reprogramming a portion of memory in the target node.
 8. The method in claim 6, wherein the second and third data packets each comprise a header portion, a payload portion, and a trailer portion, the payload portions containing the message identification associated with the record, the first and second sequence numbers, and the plurality of the first and second data elements.
 9. The method in claim 6 further comprising the step of: generating from the record, at the external diagnostic device, a fourth data packet comprising the message identification associated with the record, a third sequence number, and a plurality of third data elements, the plurality of third data elements containing at least a third portion of the message data in the record, wherein the fourth data packet containing the third portion of message data in the record is within the packet size limitation of the switch fabric of the vehicle communication network, and wherein the step of assembling includes assembling the first, second, and third portions of the message data based on the message identification associated with the record and on the first, second, and third sequence numbers.
 10. The method in claim 6, wherein the target node comprises a memory having an erasable memory portion and a protected memory portion, the method further comprising the steps of: erasing data in the erasable memory portion; and storing at least the assembled first portion of the message data and the second portion of message data in the erasable memory portion. 